" Keenees " - Challenge #98

The Diva's 98th Challenge is a UMT pattern, Keenees, by Donna Hornsby, CZT.  I often forget about this great orb tangelation, and feel grateful for Laura's tangle 'reminders'.

ZIA -  4.5" square on red cardstock; Sakura Gelly Roll, white/medium; white chalk shading; graphite shading.

Thanks to Donna and Laura!

 

Happy tangling.

 

~

 

" No Strings Attached " - Challenge #97

The Diva dug deep into her bag of tricks to find a  fabulous theme for this challenge!  Many tangles can be penned without a string.  Conversely, many patterns need some sort of string-type-linear-chaperone in order to keep the pen on the right track!   

I usually start in a corner when doing a stringless tangle on a traditional tile.  But for this shape and size, my pen wanted to start in the big empty space in the middle.  And so it did!

I had so much fun with the first one - black on white.  Would white on black be as much fun???  You betcha!



ZIAs- White Bristol & Black Cardstock -(approx. 3" x 8")  Sakura Micron Black #01; Sakura Gelly Roll White Med.; graphite shading

Thanks, Laura!

Happy Tangling.

 

~

 

" Zinger " - Weekly Challenge #96

This week's challenge theme (from the Diva) is "Zinger".... a delightful design that Maria * has been penning for years in her lovely art creations.  It has since become an official tangle from Zentangle® Central. 

Deciding on a design for this challenge was difficult.  I see "Zinger" as an embellishment to a design, not as the focus of a composition.  And with this tunnel-vision interpretation of how to use Zinger, I found it difficult to come up with a plan. 

..... then it hit me.  This is Thanksgiving week.  And my turkey has Zinger-type feathers!  (I just love it when a plan comes together.....).

~  Happy Thanksgiving  ~

ZIA - Bristol 5" square - Sakura Microns Black #'s 005, 01 and Red #01; graphite shading.
 

"To speak gratitude is courteous and pleasant,

to enact gratitude is generous and noble,

but to live gratitude is to touch Heaven. " 

J.A. Gaertner

 

*Maria Thomas - co-founder of Zentangle®

 

 

Happy tangling...

... I am grateful for your visit.

 

 

ps:   ♥  Happy Birthday, Hon!!! ♥  I love you! ♥ 

 

~

" Bunzo " - Weekly Challenge #93

Zentangle® Central has announced a new fun tangle - "Bunzo" ... and Diva Laura has challenged us to use it in this week's Zentangle or ZIA.  This pattern is so fun!

Although this has been an unusually busy week, I did steal some time to give this new pattern a try.  Being intrigued by the snail-like Bunzo design that Maria created on her tile, I made an attempt to draw a Bunzo variation in a spiral string.  Sheez... it was not easy!!! (for me).  As soon as I understand how to move the Bunzo lines around so that their relationship (to one another) gives the illusion of movement, I will feel more confident.  Drawing this tangle is like dancing... and tapping your toe to the beat of the music.  Cha-cha-cha!

ZIA Bookmark - Bristol 1.5"x6", Sakura Micron Black 01 & 05; graphite shading

Thanks Laura and Maria. 

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

~

 

" Stripes " String Theory - Challenge #92

This is a repeat of a challenge we did in May 2011 - and Diva Laura says, "...the challenge is to create a tile or Zentangle® inspired art using Stripes as your string."  The "Stripes" theme has no particular significance - just a fun way to try to squish different tangle designs into a long, narrow string.  Now, there's the fun!! 

I had all good intentions of penning something..... unusual...... with this challenge.  But, alas, a ho-hum ZIA was birthed.  And, as the Zentangle® folks say, 'it is the process that is important'.  This was definitely a good theme for 'process'.

The piece perked-up a bit after adding color.  (Sorta like a push-up bra perks-up a drab, low cut, ho-hum dress!)

ZIA - Bristol 5"x5" - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading; chalk pastels

 

Happy tangling....

... and thank you for visiting.

~

 

" Beads of Courage " - Challenge #91

This is a lovely challenge!  Diva Laura has challenge instructions, photos and a short story about the Beads of Courage on her website.  Beads of Courage Program website is http://www.beadsofcourage.org/pages/beadsofcourage.htm.

Several years ago, the polymer clay guild I belonged to created beads for this program.  It was one of the most rewarding polymer clay projects I have participated in.  (The other polymer clay program that has captured my muse is Bottles of Hope.)  I must admit that my polymer clay has collected lots of dust on the shelf since I found Zentangle®.

ZIA - 6"x6" Bristol - Sakura Micron Black #01; PrismaColor Pencils; graphite shading

Mooka and Dust Bunnies support most of the various tangled beads.

Happy tangling...
and thank you for visiting.

~

 

" String Theory v.8 " - Challenge # 90

Using a string to guide in the placement of tangles (within a Zentangle®) is one of the most unique and clever aspects of the Zentangle® Method of Art.  Dots, lines, string, breathe, focus, pen line, repeat pen line...... and so on.  Diva Laura explains this week's challenge and offers her beautiful Zentangle®  as an example of String Theory v.8.

There is truly no BPS (blank page syndrome) when your string is already created on a pre-strung tile - or when someone else has accomplished the task of string-drawing for you!  Really did love the theme of this Challenge.  Totally zenned-out.

ZIA - Bristol 6"x6" - Sakure Micron Black #01; graphite shading; Prismacolor Pencils

 

 

.....and here is the string, which I rotated 90 degrees counter-clockwise before adding tangles.

This string pattern and other strings and tangles are found on Linda Farmer's fabulous Tangle Patterns site. 
Hope you'll visit.



Happy Tangling....

... and thank you for visiting.

~

 

 

" Sankegg " - UMT - Weekly Challenge #89

This week's Challenge is a UMT created by Maria Vennekens, CZT, from the Netherlands.  The Diva's challenge and Maria's breakout instructions of Sankegg are here.

This was the most difficult/challenging tangle for me to draw (of all the Diva's 89 weekly challenges).  I am still struggling with the concept of drawing Sankegg.  Drawing a single row of the tangle was as far as I could go before my work turned into..... alien pen lines!  And today is Saturday... so my options were:  either post it now or forfeit!  So, here it is. 

I don't usually give a title to my Weekly Challenges, but after I finished the tangle and did the shading, I held it at arms length for a final review and appreciation.   That is when I started to laugh so hard that I cried.... and decided to name this piece of art "Gabrielle" ***

My final ZIA design was truly a surprise.  I don't know WHAT I was thinking!!




ZIA - "Gabrielle" - Bristol 6" square;  Sakura Micron Black #'s 01, 08; graphite shading

Thank you Maria and Laura.

Happy tangling...
... and thank you for visiting.

 ***Italian anatomist Gabriello Fallopio, 1523-1562, noted for his studies of the human reproductive system. The Fallopian tubes are named for him.

~

" IX " - Weekly Challenge #88

This summer, at the 9th CZT Seminar in Providence, RI, Rick and Maria released a new official Zentangle® tangle.  As they have done with other official tangles, they were cleverly cognizant of the "here and now" when it was time to give the new tangle a name.   Read more about "IX" and see step-out/instructions here.

This was a hard one for me to sink my teeth into.... but the 'process' (of drawing it) made it all worth while.  (It always does!)  Breathe, relax, enjoy.



ZIA - Bristol 6"x6" - Sakura Micron Black #'s 01, 05; graphite shading

Happy tangling....
..... and thank you for visiting.

"Autumn is a second spring where every leaf is a flower."

                                                                             ...Albert Camus

" Pinwheels for Peace" - String Theory Challenge #87

September 21 is Peace Day.......the International Day of Peace.   The Diva's information about this year's Pinwheels for Peace is found here.

My ZIA is very plain and simple. Almost looks bare.... like maybe I forgot to finish tangling.  But it IS completed.... and hopefully reflects my sentiments.... and thoughts for someday being wittness to "world peace".... (which reminds me of the movie Miss Congeniality with Sandra Bullock. Remember the Miss Rhode Island contestant? All she wanted was "world peace", too.)

Plain and simple:  Peace

ZIA - Bristol Vellum 5"x5" - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading

Happy tangling.....
... and thank you for visiting and sharing your comments.

Explore the Peace Wheel.

 

" Break Free " - Weekly Challenge #86

The Diva has challenged us to "Break Free" this week! 

What a liberating idea.......

ZIA - 4"x6" Bristol Vellum; Sakura Microns Black 01, Sepia 01; chalk pastels; graphite shading.

Happy tangling...
... and thank you for visiting.

 

" Copada "-UMT - Weekly Challenge #85

The first Monday of the month is reserved for a "home made tangle"** from a randomly chosen Zentangle  aficionado.  This week we are working with a tangle called "Copada", created by Margaret Bremmer, CZT.

Margaret was in my CZT Class (class #3), and I so regret that I did not get to meet her at that time.  Margaret is a fabulous artist.   Hope you will visit her website. 

Here is my version of  a ZIA using "Copada".


ZIA - Bristol 6"x8"; Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading.

Thank you for another interesting challenge, Laura!

Happy tangling....
...and thank you for visiting.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"home made tangle"**
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

ps:  Congratulations, Susan, for completing your 2nd Closer to Free Ride today for the Smilow Cancer Hospital at Yale-New Haven in CT, USA.  We are so very proud of you.  Love you, Mom & Dad.
 

" String Theory-Blind Sighted " - Challenge # 84

Close your eyes - draw a string - now tangle within.  The Diva explains her rationale here. 

I love this kind of challenge.   Used some new tangles from TanglePatterns.com, and a couple of not-so-new tangles.  Thanks for a delightful challenge.

Pencil string drawn with eyes closed!    

ZIA - Bristol 4" x 5"; Sakura Micron Black #01, #005; PrismaColor Premier Pencils; graphite shading
 



Tangle patterns:  Tripoli, Scroll Feather, Angel Fish, Zixts variation.

 

Happy tangling....

..... and thank you for visiting.

 

" Mooka - Assunta Duo" - Weekly Challenge #83

Love these duo-tangle-challenges!  This week, Mooka and Assunta are front and center, dancing around tiles and ZIA's. 

Mooka needs practice (practice, practice) - but once your brain remembers how to swoosh the lines up/around/and back, it's really quite fun.  Assunta, on the other hand, requires a bit of concentration when plotting the grid.... then, connecting the grid-path is mesmerizing.
 

Art Journal page 5"x7" - Sakura Microns: Black #01, Sepia #01; Prismacolor pencils; pastel chalks; graphite shading

Great selection of tangles for this Duo-Tangle Challenge from the Diva.

Happy tangling...
... and thank you for visiting.

" Brayd " - UMT - Weekly Challenge # 82

This week, the star tangle pattern is "Brayd" (instructions here), created by the very talented  Shelly Beauch, CZT.  I have not used this pattern extensively, and now that I've had a chance to study it a bit more by drawing it and viewing the fabulous Zentangles and ZIA's submitted for this challenge, (scroll down to Mr. Linky on the Diva's site), I think I'll be drawing it more.  It's so fun!  With lots of design possibilities........

While I was pumping gas into my car yesterday, I noticed an interesting design on one of the (many) 'CAUTION-HAZARDOUS-FLAMMABLE' warning stickers pasted to the front of the pump.  So, for my string on this ZIA, I penciled my interpretation of that design.

ZIA - Bristol 5" square; Sakura Microns black # 01 & #005; graphite shading.

Thank you Shelly and Laura.

Happy tangling...
..... and thank you for visiting.

ps:  Happy Birthday to my l-o-o-o-n-g time (since kindergarten!) friends, Joyce and Fran.

" Relay for Life Zendala " - Challenge #81

The Diva has recruited guest challenge host Erin Olson, CZT for this week's challenge.

Erin has provided the zendala template - and I just cannot believe the variety of beautifully creative interpretations that have been submitted so far!  I'm a bit embarrassed to post mine after viewing those other works of art. 

I thought a zendala needed to be very precise..... I mean, the tangle patterns needed to be drawn to fit specifically within the lines/string of the template.  This challenge has, perhaps, proven me wrong.  If you have not yet viewed the zendalas in this challenge, I hope you will take a minute to do so..... here  (then scroll down to Mr. Linky's list).

I used a 3.5" template, and perhaps it was too small for my drawing style.  It was frustrating to run out of space within a string segment and not be able to freely draw a tangle.  It was very tight!  My next attempt may be a larger template.  Or, drawing outside the lines is another option.  We'll see.  I'm not completely convinced that I want to attempt another zendala until I understand the ground-rules.  (Darn Type-A personality!!!)

Zendala - Bristol 4"; Sakura Micron Black #01, #005; graphite shading

Thanks, Erin, for a challenging challenge!!

Happy tangling....
... and thank you for visiting.

" Mi2 (Me Too) " - Challenge #80

It's hard to believe that this is the Diva's 80th Weekly Challenge devoted to the art of Zentangle!!

The focus of this challenge is a tangle called "Mi2 (Me Too)",  which was created by Mimi Lempart, CZT.   Instructions for drawing this tangle are found here.

I really like to draw this pattern...although, at first, it was very challenging.  It's one of those patterns that is hard to wrap your head around - but oh, so gratifying when you finally "get it".

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading.



Check out the Diva's challenge tile.  It's awesome.

Happy tangling...
.....and thank you for stopping by.

ps:  Happy Birthday to my little brother, Chuck!  love you lots.

" Citius, Altius, Fortius " - Challenge #79

As the 2012 Summer Olympic Games are preparing for the July 27 opening ceremony in London, England - this challenge honors the Olympic motto "Citius, Altius, Fortius" ~ Swifter, Higher, Stronger. The iconic symbol for the Games is the five intertwining rings - and at least one of the (ring's) colors appears in every national flag of the participating countries.

While the Diva is in Philadelphia at a medical conference for Moebius Syndrome with her family this week, the guest-challenge-leader is Rho Densmore, CZT. Rho's olympic challenge post can be found here.

To me, the Olympics symbolizes years of work and sacrifice - as the athletes practice to perfect their chosen sport. First the practice, then the celebration! The Olympic celebration!!

"The most important thing is not to win but to take part!" Pierre de Coubertin

ZIA - 5" square Bristol - Sakura Micron Black #01, pastel chalks, PrismaColor pencils, graphite for shading

To all those fabulous Olympians who will strive harder than they have ever done before - good luck and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Happy tangling...
.....and thank you for stopping by.

ps:  Happy Anniversary Chuckie & Ero...... love you!!

" Auraknot " - Weekly Challenge #78

Back at Camp Zentangle, Rick and Maria have been busy creating this fabulous new tangle, and they are demonstrating the tangle in a great new YouTube video.   They challenged us to: (1) name the new tangle, and (2) deconstruct it and write the step-out instructions.  The Diva has more information about Auraknot on her award-winning website.

This is definitely a fun tangle with lots of possibilities and variations.  But it does require a good amount of focus and consistency..... with regards to direction when rotating the tile.  But, somehow, the result is an intricate, complicated-looking design that sorta resembles a Celtic knot. 


Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01



Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01 and graphite shading.

Thank you Rick and Maria... and Molly and Sue & Nancy.

Happy tangling.....
... and thanks for visiting.

ps: this entry is a dedicated to and a celebration of two birthdays that need to be acknowledged, as they happened since my last post... Happy Birthday, Susan ~ Happy Birthday, Christopher... love you very much.

" Bridgen " - a UMT - Weekly Challenge #73

This week we are using the tangle 'Bridgen', created by Daved Ohl.  It's an interesting story about how this tangle pattern was created in Daved's mind.  The challenge is to use Bridgen in a Zentangle or ZIA.

This challenge was "work" for me.  The design idea/string did not happen easily.  Blocked.  But I'll do another one and try to loosen-up.  Using a familiar spiral string gave me a good start. 

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Microns,  Black #01 and Green #05; graphite shading

Thank you, Daved, for creating and sharing this tangle pattern.

Happy tangling.....
.... and thank you for visiting.

~ Special thanks for taking time to write your thoughts in the comment section. ~ 

" Crescent Moon " - Challenge #72

Crescent Moon is the first official Zentangle tangle that I learned in an Introductory Zentangle Class given by Maria & Rick in Whittinsville, MA.  (Awesome experience.)  This has always been the first tangle that I taught in my introductory classes, too.  It sort of indicated a "right of passage" for me.... from student to teacher.  A bit spiritual.  I felt like I had to start my classes with Crescent Moon in order to allow the zen-like aura to take hold and permiate the room.

But I'm a big girl now.  And during my big-girl-growth-spurt, I recognized my ability to communicate with my students by teaching them as I was taught.  Breathe, relax, enjoy.  Dots, lines, string.  One.  Stroke.  At.  A.  Time.

Here is my contribution to this week's Crescent Moon Challenge.  Grids, crescents, spheres, loops.

My faux pas this week is that I mis-read the Diva's instructions.  M-o-n-o-tangle.  Oops.

ZIA - 5" x 7" bristol; Sakura Micron Black #'s 005, 01, 08; graphite shading

 ~ Remembering our men and women in uniform, with love and prayers. ~

Happy tangling.....
... and thank you for visiting.

" Pea-Nuckle " - Challenge #71

This week's Zentangle challenge from the Diva is to use Molly Hollibaugh's new tangle, Pea-Nuckle, in a ZIA or Zentangle tile.

At first, as is my experience with many new tangle patterns, it was difficult to understand the flow of this tangle.  So I avoided it.  But my right brain finally conceded to the fact that ANY pattern is more easily accomplished as the strokes are repeated.  Repetition.  Repetition.  Repetition.

And I got so tangled-up in this concept of repetition, that some of my stroke directions went north instead of south!  I almost threw the tile into the circular file, but decided to just accept what was appearing before me and finish it ! 

Feeling of accomplishment.  Grateful for inviting patience.  Persistant.  Zentangle.

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01 & Sepia #01; graphite shading

Thanks for the challenge, Laura. 

Happy tangling...
...and thanks for visiting.

PS:  Happy Birthday David and Tehya!!  Love you lots and lots.....

" Color Me Sepia " - Weekly Challenge #70

As our balmy breezes blow and we prepare for a bit of rain on this Monday morning, we are surrounded by the color gray.  The Diva's Challenge theme also calls for a color variance within our tangles.  Very nice change of direction.  No stress.  Just use the traditional black ink - and add sepia ink at any point in your ZIA or Zentangle design.  Little changes can sometimes make a bold statement.  See Laura's expanded comments and instructions here.

 My contribution to this challenge is part of a ZIA that I started a few days ago.  It's a collage-type design, somewhat similar to Zentangle's 'Ensembles'.  I randomly cut apart (sorta like puzzle pieces) an 8.5" x 11" piece of heavy off-white card stock... and will treat each piece as an individually designed tile/piece, with no special intention to have the 'strings' flow from one piece to another.  When each puzzle piece is finished, my plan is to reassemble the puzzle (on a colored piece of paper), leaving a space between each piece. 

This first piece, done with sepia and black inks, is the right-lower design segment of the collage.

ZIA - approx. 5.75"h x 3.5"w; Sakura Micron #01's black and sepia; graphite shading

Happy tangling...
..... and thank you for visiting!

PS:  Happy Birthday, Ero!  Love you lots.....

" Groovy " - Weekly Challenge #69

This is UMT week on the Diva's Weekly Challenge scene.  The tangle is called "Groovy" - created by Eden Hunt from Cut'n It Up.   We are challenged to use this new tangle in a traditional ZentangleR or a ZIA.

"Groovy" is a beautiful and flowing pattern of gracefully curved strokes.  I have always liked this pattern, but shyed away from it because it was too difficult challenging for me to understand it's ebb and flow.  Now I understand it a little better..... and will add it to my 'favorites' list of tangles.

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading

ZIA - 3.5" sq.; Sakura Micron Black #01; ColorBox Stamp Petals; Prismacolor Premiere Pencils; graphite shading

Thank you, Eden, for creating and sharing this beautiful tangle.  And, as always, thank you to our amazing Diva, Laura!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy tangling....
.....and thank you for visiting.

" Hybrid & Strircles " - Challenge #68

The Zentangle challenge this week is a Duo-Tangle.  Create a tile or ZIA using only two tangles, 'Hybrid' and 'Strircles'.  (These are two official Zentangle patterns.)  The Diva says:  "This is another one of those instances of finding the elegance of limitation."  I love these duo-tangles.

I think I had too much fun with this challenge.....

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading

...and this one was done at 3am during a brief attack of insomnia!

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #'s 01, 005; graphite shading

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

   

ps:  Happy Birthday, Tina!  luv you...

" Earth Day " - Weekly Challenge #67

April 22 was World Earth Day, so, as you may have guessed, the Diva has suggested this week's theme to be...... Earth Day.  Please see Laura's commentary here. 

Wouldn't it be nice if we, each individual human person living on planet Earth, would honor our planet every day by being more conscoius of recycling, water preservation, air purity, trees, plants, rivers, streams, oceans, etc etc etc........... 

Here is my challenge/contribution to thoughts of Earth Day.....
  


ZIA - 5" x 7" sketch book; Sakura Micron Black #01; Prismacolor Pencils; graphite shading.

Happy tangling...
..... and thank you for visiting.

ps:  Happy Birthday, Mary!  luv you lots
 

" Auras " - Weekly Challenge #66

This week, the challenge theme is to draw a Zentangle or ZIA and add an 'aura' to the tangles.


I love echo quilting.... and echo drawing.  And auras add a unique dimension to a tangle.  They can be numerous, or 'just a few'.  For this challenge, I was feeling that I wanted this tile to be soft - and 'quiet' - as my mind needed to be clear and uncluttered, so I chose a simple and limited succession of echos/auras around my tangles. 


The results.... made me feel good.  (My typical Zentangle response.......)

Traditional Zentangle - 3.5" sq tile; Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading.

Thank you, Laura.


Happy tangling...
..... and thank you for visiting.

" Huggy Bear " - Weekly Challenge #65

This is UMT week, which features a versatile tangle created by JJ LaBarbera.  Her tangle instructions are here.  The Diva has challenged us to learn "Huggy Bear" and use it in a Zentangle or ZIA.

Huggy Bear can be taken to so many levels and in so many directions.   Before I view the other entries of any Weekly Challenge, I complete mine.  After my tile is finished, I check-out everyone's little work of art, and I'm always amazed at the different expressions of creativity!  The variations of Huggy Bear are just fabulous.

This is my first attempt at drawing Huggy Bear, and I'm adding it to my little book of FDP  (frequently drawn patterns).  Another fun challenge.

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading; Prismacolor Premier pencils; chalks

Thank you, JJ and Laura.

Happy tangling...

..... and thanks for visiting.

P.S.  Happy Birthday, Kai!  Love you lots...

" Fortune Teller " - Challenge #64

This week, the Diva is using her 'string theory' as the basis for our tangled design - which means we are all using a common string.  After drawing the four outside string/lines (dot-to-dot/corner to corner), that string is then divided into eight fairly equal triangles.  And as the tangles cozy-up next to each other, they are forming a symbiotic relationship.  Nice.

The resulting 'string design' sorta resembles a folded-paper game we played in elementary school, called a 'Fortune Teller'.

See the Diva's award winning blog and detailed instructions here.               

There are so many possible design zen-binations for this challenge!  What fun.             

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading.

Thanks, Laura.

Happy tangling, everyone.....
... and thank you for visiting.

" Fengle " - Weekly Challelnge #63

This new tangle from Rick and Maria is called "Fengle" (pronounced fangle).  

Laura Harms, The Diva, says:  "You may have noticed lately, that a new tangle has been popping up in mine and the work of my fellow CZTs.  It's called "Fengle" - and the story goes that it was named after a Sushi restaurant called "Fengs", which is pronounced 'fangs'.   So, Fengle should, in theory, rhyme with Tangle?  Now it's your turn to get all Fengled up! "

Here is my interpretation of this swirling, spinning, twirling, twisting tangle pattern.  I'm still a little afraid of it, so my design is plain and simple (but swirling).

Zentangle - 3.5" sq; Sakura Micron Black #01; Prismacolor Premier; graphite shading

             

Happy tangling...

... and thank you for visiting.

PS:  Happy 105th Birthday to Merci!!  Love you........

" Spiral vs Paradox " - Weekly Challenge #62

Tangle 'Paradox' within a 'Spiral' string.  This week's theme has been suggested by Marizaan van Beek, CZT.  The Diva says:   "The challenge is to use spiral together with paradox.  Your basic string should be a spiral and tangled with paradox. More than one spiral string can be used.  LUCKILY FOR ME (and for you!) this week's challenge will be brought to you by Certified Zentangle Teacher, Marizaan van Beek, all the way from South Africa!" 

 It took a bit of planning for me to figure out how to tangle Paradox within the Spiral string, while, at the same time, leaving each Paradox pattern to stand on its own.  Final results were a surprise to me.  Each step seemed to lead me in a different direction.  Sorta like the path of life.  And in the end, there is something to share.

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01; graphite shading.

Happy tangling.....
... and thank you for visiting.

" Golven " aka " Waves " - Weekly Challenge #61

The theme for the first Monday of the month is reserved for us... [we tangling humans who are creatively enthralled with the art of Zentangle (R)].  The first Monday of each month will feature a home-made tangle, chosen at random.  The Diva says:  "This week's tangle, called GOLVEN, comes to us from Mariët.  GOLVEN is the Dutch word for waves.  You can find instructions for her tangle here."

I often visit Mariet's blog.  Her flair for the artistic is quite evident.  She does such lovely work.

When Mariet first demonstrated her new tangle called Waves/Golven, I diligently gave it a try.  I gave it several tries.  Although I did not expect it to look exactly like hers, I did expect a reasonable facsimile.  Didn't happen.  So, I sorta pushed Waves/Golven over to the "Tangles that Frustrate Me" list.

After this challenge was posted, I knew I would give it another try.  Then I read Margaret Bremmer's post  "Two New Tangles Attempted.....".  This was my 'ahh-haa' moment.  And as Margaret said, "Then I realized that I hadn't exactly followed the directions!"

I had not exactly followed Mariet's directions!

I was omitting Step 4, which was to heavily shade the corners.  So, the secret is to follow the directions, huh?  Yep!  I love, love, love the way Waves/Golven looks when it's finished and shaded.  It's a very lovely and versatile tangle.  Thank you, Mariet.  Wonderful tangle.

Traditional Zentangle - Sakura Micron Black #01, graphite shading.

And thank you, Margaret, for pointing out the obvious.

Happy tangling.....
... and thank you for visiting.